Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial was adjourned until September 5 after a short session at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday.
Judge Herbert Msimang did not accept state prosecutor Wim Trengove’s assertion that it should be postponed till September 7 because colleague Anton Steynberg would be overseas at a conference.
”This matter we all know has an influence on our society. You say it must be held over because somebody is attending a conference abroad?” he asked disbelievingly.
Zuma left the court and went down to the crowd outside who erupted into song, jumping up and down to the song Izinganizoma.
In addition to his bodyguards, he was flanked by Congress of South African Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, African National Congress secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe, KwaZulu-Natal Premier S’bu Ndebele, former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni and South African Communist Party president Blade Nzimande.
Vavi said: ”It is regrettable that this cannot proceed, we cannot understand this diversion. They had six years of investigation … it’s crazy.”
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said: ”It would obviously put more pressure on the prosecution team which already has a lot to deal with but we understand and respect the judge’s decision.”
Zuma faces two charges of corruption.
His co-accused, the arms company Thint, is accused of having offered him a bribe of R500 000 a year in exchange for his silence during a probe into the country’s multibillion-rand arms deal.
100% Zuma
The South African Students Congress (Sasco) in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday thanked students in the province for missing classes to support Zuma.
”Sasco KZN would like to thank all the students for responding to our call for them not to attend classes, but to go and give support to Jacob Zuma at his corruption trial case,” chairperson Sammy Mashita said in a statement.
”We believe that it was this kind of patriotism that made our country what it is today.”
Mashita said there were two reasons Sasco called on students and pupils to stay away from classes on Monday.
Students and pupils whose fees were paid by the Jacob Zuma trust might soon lose that support if their patron was unable to raise funds.
”The collapse of this fund will impact negatively on many people’s lives, both students, learners and their families.”
Mashita said Sasco also decided at its last national general council to support Zuma during his trial.
”[Jacob Zuma] is a leader of our movement and, as Sasco KZN, like the ANC in this province, we agree that he must be the next ANC and state president.”
Mashita again called for a speedy and fair trial for Zuma. Earlier it was reported that classes have been cancelled at some colleges in the Pietermaritzburg city centre due to Zuma’s court case.
”We are excited to come here to see Jacob Zuma, but I am concerned about my studies,” said Computer College of South Africa student Mnqobi Buthelezi.
”Our lecturers told us there are no classes today because most students chose to come here [to court].”
Buthelezi’s classmate, Mfundo Zondi, was not concerned about the disruption the case has caused.
”As a Zulu man from the rural areas I support Jacob Zuma 100% because he has his people’s needs at heart.”
Zondi said should Zuma contest the elections, he would vote for him as the president of the country. – Sapa